Verizon vs. Amazon vs. Best Buy

[pearlmikejam]

My OG Droid is causing me too many issues, so I am in need of an upgrade. I would love to hold out for a dual core phone, but I am not sure I can.

That said, I am leaning towards the Thunderbolt, although if the Dinc2 would get permanent root, I might change my mind. I have always gotten my phones directly from Verizon, but noticed Amazon is $50 cheaper. As I tried to shake down VZW today for the difference, the rep told me that Amazon offers the discount, but locks you into a plan (even on an upgrade of a secondary line of a family plan). Any change to that plan results in an early term fee. Best Buy seems to have the same sort of arrangement.

I frequently change my plan to accommodate for months with heavy minutes. I do not want to be hit with a term fee while I am doing this.

My two primary concerns are
- can I freely change my plan if I get my upgrade from Amazon or Best Buy
- what is the return policy (do Amazon and BB have a 30 day test drive)

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[ffac789]

Going up from 3G, you technically change data plans, although numerically it's all the same. I ordered my Thunderbolt yesterday from AmazonWireless (supposed to arrive today!) and made sure I understood everything before doing so. If you want to return the phone, with Best Buy and AmazonWireless you have 30 days to send the phone back, however, you have to contact Verizon and switch back to the 3G data plan within 14 days to avoid any fees, even though nothing really changes.